Renin–Angiotensin System Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Stimulation Increases Renal Function in Female, but Not Male, Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Lucinda M. Hilliard, Charis L.E. Chow, Katrina M. Mirabito, U. Muscha Steckelings, Thomas Unger, Robert E. Widdop, Kate M. Denton See Editorial Commentary, pp 227–228 Abstract—Accumulating evidence suggests that the protective pathways of the renin–angiotensin system are enhanced in women, including the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R), which mediates vasodilatory and natriuretic effects. To provide insight into the sex-specific ability of pharmacological AT2R stimulation to modulate renal function in hypertension, we examined the influence of the AT2R agonist, compound 21 (100–300 ng/kg per minute), on renal function in 18- to 19-weekold anesthetized male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats. AT2R stimulation significantly increased renal blood flow in female hypertensive rats (PTreatment